Conveying and distributing system



y 1943- G. A. MORSE CONVEYING AND DISTRIBUTING SYSTEM Filed Feb. 16, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet l E as Z N E. A 3 m m .U G E ATTORNEY-9 y 1943. r G. A. MORSE 2,318,180

CONVEYING AND DISTRIBUTING. SYSTEM Filed Feb. 16, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 .[NVENTOE 4 Sum Fo/eo A. MoesE A froze/vs vs May 4, 1943. G. A. MORSE CONVEYING AND DISTRIBUTING SYSTEM Filed Feb. 16, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 x4 TTOgNE' Y:

May 4, 1943. MORSE 2,318,180

CONVEYING AND DISTRIBUTING SYSTEM Filed Feb. 16, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 ANENTOQ 60/4 FORD A. MORSE Arreeusrs May 4, 1943. G. A, MORSE CONVEYING AND DISTRIBUTING SYSTEM.

5 Sheets-Sheet 5 A/VENTOR Gu/LFo/eo A. Mags:

Filed Feb. 16, 1940 Ar-I-OE eY:

Patented May 4, 194-3 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE 6 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in conveying systems, generally, and more particularly to a novel conveying and distributing system adapted for use in laundries to distribute different articles, after they have been proper rotation of the goods. Also, when the washed and extracted, to a plurality of different goods or articles are thus transported in trucks, stations for further processing, such as ironing. they often dry out considerably before reaching A bundle of goods sent to a laundry for 1aunderthe ironers and may require redamping, which ing, usually contains several different types or requires additional labor. The goods are also kinds of articles which may require as many dif- 10 likely to become soiled, torn, or otherwise damferent kinds of washing. It is therefore necesaged, as a result of manually lifting the wet sary that each such bundle be sorted and divided clothes out of the trucks. into a number of different stacks or piles, de- The novel conveying and distributing system pending upon the particular kind of washing the herein disclosed is particularly applicable for different articles may require. The various ardistributing the goods or articles contained in a ticles, after being thus sorted, are then usually single customers bundle, after Washing and explaced in separate mesh bags, in which the artracting, to a plurality of different stations for. ticles remain during the washing and extracting processin and with a view of eliminating all of operations. The plurality of bags containing the the objectionable features now present in the various classes of goods received from a single usual method of handling the goodsor various customer, have ailixed thereto, the usual identiarticles of a customers bundle, as they are routed fication tags, pins, or tickets, which identify the through the laundry. I contents of said bags as belonging to a certain In the present system, the goods are Washed customer. After the goods or articles contained and extracted in the usual manner, and are then in the bags of a single customers order have been delivered to a suitable sorting and routing table, washed and extracted, it is necessary to re-sort as hereinbefore'stated, where the goods are sorted the articles in accordance with the various kinds by an operator according to the type of processing of processing the difierent articles or goods may required. The sorted articles are then placed in require, as for example, some articles may require separate bags or containers, preparatory to being drying in a tumbler, or ironing in a flat work routed to their respective stations for receiving the ironer; others may require treatment in a handrequired processing. Before routing the bags kerchief ironer or a press machine; and others over the system to their respective processing stamay require hand ironing. Because of the diftions, they are ticketed for identification purposes, ferent treatments required by the various articles whereby all of the articles or goods belonging to contained in a given customers bundle, which rea given customer may readily be identified. As quires dividing the bundle into several different the processing operations on the various articles parts, each to be treated independently of the are completed, the finished articles are forwarded other parts of the same bundle, extreme care must to the usual wrapping room, there to be packed be exercised in the handling of the goods through into a single bundle for return delivery to the the laundry, to avoid losing or misplacing any of customer. By conveying the wet goods from the the parts of a given customers bundle, whereby sorting table to the various processing stations in the customer may be assured of receiving all of bags, all of the articles may readily be kept in a the articles delivered to the laundry for launderwet or moist condition until the final ironing oping, after the work has been completed. erations are commenced. The danger of soiling It is therefore important that the various arthe goods, tearing or otherwise damaging, while ticles contained in a customers bundle, when reenroute to another station for treatment, is also ceived from the washer, be carefully sorted and substantially eliminated. The operation of ironmarked with a given identification mark, whereing or processing the various articles is also facilby all of the articles, which may become sepaitated and greatly simplified in that the operator rated for treatment or processing at different stais not required to lift the wet goods but of trucks, tions, when completed, may be forwarded to a as is now customary; but simplydirects the trolley wrapping room and wrapped into a single bundle with thebag suspended therefrom over the procor more, preparatory to returning the completed essing table and discharges the goods directly on bundl of goods to the customer. to the table without otherwise handling the wet It is now customary in most laundries to transarticles.

port the goods from the sorting table to the various processing stations by means of small trucks or baskets. This involves considerable labor and loss of time and makes it diificult to maintain An object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide an improved conveying and distributing system which is particularly well adapted for use in laundries in the handling or transporting of various articles of a customers bundle to a plurality of different processing stations, whereby the processing of the various articles of the customers bundle may be completed at about the same time, thereby greatly expediting the operation of laundering the goods.

A further object of the invention resides in the novel construction and arrangement of the track system and switch mechanisms which conduct the trolleys, with the inverted bags or containers attached thereto, to their respective stations throughout the laundry.

Other objects of the invention reside in the simple and inexpensive construction of the system, as a whole; in the simplified construction of the trolleys and the means provided thereon for controlling the operation of the switch mechanisms for diverting the trolleys to their respective stations; in the construction of the hold'back or stop mechanism which serves to bring each trolley to rest at its designated station, and whereby the operators at said stations may readily release the trolleys from said mechanism; and, in the provision of such a conveying system which is substantially automatic in operation.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following description and accompanying drawings and will be pointed out in the annexed claims.

In the accompanying drawings there has been disclosed a structure designed to carry out the various objects of the invention, but it is to be understood that the invention is not confined to the exact features shown as various changes may be made within the scope of the claims which follow.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation showing an elevator for elevating the loaded bags from the loading track to a distributing track;

Figure 2 is a view showing the means provided at the end of the loading track for controlling the delivery of trolleys tothe elevator;

Figure 3 is a detail plan view on the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2, showing the mechanism operated by the elevator to permit one of the trolleys to pass from the loading track onto the elevator;

Figure 5 is a view showing the trolley control mechanism on the conveyer operated to permit another trolley to be positioned for delivery onto the next succeeding elevator;

Figure 6 is a sectional plan view on the line 6-6 of Figure 1, showing the means for diverting the trolleys from the elevator onto the distributing track;

Figure 7 is a side elevation of Figure 6 with some of the parts omitted;

Figure 8 is a View substantially on the line 8.8 of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a detail view partially in section, showing one of the switch mechanisms;

Figure 10 is a detail sectional view on the line Iii-l0 of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a detail sectional view on the line H-ll of Figure 12;

Figure 12 is a plan view of the switch mechanism shown in Figure 9;

Figure 13 is a diagrammatic view showing a conveying system embodying the invention;

Figure 14 is a detail view showing the hold back device for the trolleys;

Figure 15 is a view showing an inclined elevator;

Figure 16 is a detail view, partially in section, showing the receiving end of the elevator illustrated in Figure 15; and

Figure 17 is an enlarged detail view of the receiving end of the elevator shown in Figure 16.

The novel conveying and distributing system herein disclosed, and as illustrated in Figure 1, comprises a straight lift elevator, generally indicated by the numeral 2. This elevator may be of any desired height as, for example, it may be of such height as to elevate commodities from one elevation to another on a single floor or it may be extended to elevate commodities from one floor to another.

The elevator 2, as shown in Figure 1, comprises an upright frame, generally designated by the numeral 3. A sprocket wheel 4 is mounted on a suitable shaft 5 provided in the lower portion of the frame 3, and a similar sprocket 6 is, mounted on a shaft 7 journaled in suitable bearings provided at the upper end of the elevator. A suitable chain 8 is mounted on the sprockets 4 and 6 and has a plurality of elevator flights 9 suitably secured thereto, as shown. The elevator chain 8 is shown driven from a suitable speed reducer H by a belt or chain l2. The speed reducer, in turn, may be driven from a motor 13 through a suitable belt M.

A suitable track system, diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 13, leads from the elevator 2 to various parts of the building or to the station provided therein for receiving goods. or articles from the elevator. The tracksystem, as best illustrated in Figure 13, comprises a loading track l5 arranged adjacent to or over a suitable loading station, generally designated by the numeral iii. The loading track I5 leads from the loading station [6 to the lower portion of the elevator 2, and serves to conduct a plurality of trolleys, generally designated by the letters, B, C, D, and E, from the loading station It to the elevator 2.

The trolleys are extremely simple and inexpensive in construction. Each comprises a pair of side plates l8 secured together in spaced relation by suitable studs 19 and 20, as best shown in Figure 3. Carrying wheels are rotatably mounted on the studs [9 and 20, and are adapted to travel in the channel-shaped tracks of the track system, as will subsequently be described. Suitable rollers ll are mounted on the end portions of the studs IQ of each trolley, and each trolley also has a suitable hook 25 pivotally supported on the side plates [8-18 thereof.

An important feature of the invention resides in the particular manner in which the bags 21 are suspended from the trolleys in inverted position, whereby the mouths of the bags are disposed at the lowermost portions thereof, as shown in Figure 1. The bags 21 are removably supported on the trolley hooks 25 by suitable cords or straps 28 secured to the upper or closed ends of the bags. The lower open ends of the bags are adapted to be closed by suitable means, such as cords 29, when the bags are loaded, as shown in Figure 1. To unload the bags or remove the contents therefrom, the operator simply releases the cords 29, whereby the contents of the bags may be dumped onto a suitable receiving means or table without removing the bags from the trolleys. In the system diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 13, a plurality of receiving stations B, C, D, and E are shown, which may represent stations in a laundry where different types of ironing or processing of the goods is performed. The goods or articles of a given customers bundle after having been washed and extracted, are delivered to the loading station l6, where the various articles are sorted and placed in a plurality of different bags, the number of which will depend upon the various kinds of processing required by the goods received in the customers bundle. The bundles of most customers may contain several different kinds of goods or articles, all of which may require different treatment in the laundry to complete them after washing. The operator or dispatcher at the loading station, dispatches the various bundles of a customers order throughout the laundry to receive their final treatment of processing, after which the finished goods or articles are forwarded to the usual bundle room, where all of the goods received from a given customer are packaged, preparatory to being returned to the customer.

Y To thus dispatch the various parts of a customers order to the different stations in the laundry'for further treatment, the dispatcher or operator at the loadin station l6 places each part in a bag on a trolley, each trolley bearing a definite relation to a given station B, C, D, and E, In other words, all goods to be dispatched to station B will be conveyed thereto by trolley B, and in like manner, all goods to be delivered to station will be conveyed thereto by trolley C, and so on. In some instances, it may be found desirable to paint the trolleys different colors, and designating the stations by similar colors, whereby the selection of a trolley for a given station may readily be accomplished by color.

To control the travel of the trolley over the system to their respective stations, means is provided on the trolleys for controlling the operation of various switches provided along the track system, so that each trolley sent over the system from the loading station l6, will move only to its designated receiving stations B, C, D, or E;

When a trolley has been loaded at the loading station I 6, it may travel by gravity over the track l until it comes to rest against a suitable stop, generally indicated by the numeral 3|. This stop is pivoted to a post 32 secured to the inclined portion 33 of the track l5, and is provided with laterally spaced arms and 34 adapted to be alternately positioned in the path of the wheels of the trolleys, as best shown in Figures 2, Land 5. An arm 35 is shown secured to the arm 30 of the stop member 3| and has pivoted to the upper end thereof, a member 36 which is normally positioned to be engaged by the outer end portions 37 of the elevator flights 9, as shown in Figure 5. A spring 38 is connected to the arm 35 and to the member 36 and normally holds the member 36 in engagement with a stop 39 provided on the member 35, as best shown in Figures 2 and 4.

The stop member 3| i normally in the position shown in Figures 2 and 4, whereby its arm 30 is positioned in the path of the trolleys so that each trolley, when it reaches the stop member 3|, will be temporarily interrupted on the inclined track 33. In Figures 2, 4, and 5, three trolleys, B, C, and D, are shown. In Figure 2, it will be noted that the leading trolley B has been released from the stop member 3|, and has moved forwardly into engagement with an auxiliary stop member 4|, located adjacent to the lower end of the iniliary stop member 4| is pivoted at42 to the inclined track 33 and is operatively connected to an arm 43 by a suitable connection 44. The arm 43 is shown pivotally mounted on the lower end.

of a depending extension 45 of the track 33.

A trolley is automatically delivered onto each elevator fiig t 9, as said flights pass the discharge end of the inclined track section 33, provided, of course, that there is a trolley engaged with the auxiliary stop 4|, as each flight 9 passes thereby. This is accomplished as a result of the outer end 3? of each elevator flight 9 being adapted to engage the arm 43 of the auxiliary stop member 4|, whereby said arm 43 is moved upwardly and thereby moves the auxiliary stop member 4| out of the path of the trolleyB, positioned at the: lower end of the inclined track 33, whereby trolley B is released and travels onto the adjacent elevator flight 9, as clearly illustrated in Figure 4:. As soon as the outer end 37 of the elevator,

flight moves out of engagement with. the arm 43 of the auxiliary stop member 4|, the latter is returned to its normal operative position, as shown in Figure 5, by gravity. As the loaded ele-j vator flight 9 continues upwardly from the lower end of the inclined track 33, it engages member of stop member 3|, and thereby actuates said stop member to release trolley C, as will be understood be reference to Figures 2, 4, and 5. When trolley C is thus released, it will advance to the position shown in Figure 5 against the auxiliary stop 4i. I

The tracks in the novel conveying system herein disclosed, are channeled or U-shaped in cross section, as best illustrated in Figures 10 and 11, whereby the wheels of the trolleys cannot readily become derailed in their travel over the system. The flights 9 of the elevator 2 are also channeled as shown in Figures 4 and 8, thereby to prevent accidental derailment of the trolleys thereon. A

the track sections 49 and suitable abutment til is provided on each flight 9 to limit forward movement of the trolleys thereon. I

The novel conveying and distribut-i system shown in Figure 13, comprises a pair of distribut ing tracks 4? and 33 connected to a. supply track 49 by means of a suitable switch mechanism, generally indicated by the numeral 4 3. The receiving end of the supply track 49 is positioned adjacent to the elevator 2, as shown in Figure 1.

The switch mechanism =36 is shown ,comprising an inclined track section which connectsv the track 4? to the track section 49. If desired, 5i may be integrally formed with the track 4?. The distributing track 48 has'a pivoted track section 52 connecting it to the track section 59, when the track section 52 is in its horizontal position, as shown in- Fig= ure The pivoted track section 52 serves as a switch, and has one end of an angularly shaped rod 53 secured thereto, as shown in Figure 11; The opposite end of the switch section 52 is piv otallyconnected to clined track section 33. The auxiliary stop mem ber 4| is normally positioned as shown in Figures one end of a switch operat-'- ing ar-mi 5 1 The switch -operating arm;5fl is" pivotedto' a bracketfi, shown inzFigures 9 and" 10; By referring to :Figure 9, it will be noted that the angularly shapedrod or bracket 53 passesupwardly andover the track 52, and thencedownwardlyand has a horizontal end portion 55 re-' ceived in a slot 51 provided in the end of the switch operating arm Ki l. The terminal of the hori'zontal'end portion 56' of the rod-like bracket 53 is' spaced from the rail 52 to providea gap'58 Figure 10 to provide clearance for the hooks 25" of the trolleys.

A suitable weight El may be secured to the pivot 62 of the track section 52 and normally retains the track section 52 and arm 54 in the dotted line position shown in Figure 9. When the switch section 52 is thus elevated, the switch 33 is open, and certain trolleys delivered onto the track section 49 will then travel downwardly over the inclined track section 5i onto the distributing track 41, for delivery to stations B or D, depending upon the particular type of trolley pasing over the system. When the switch section 52 is in its closed horizontal position shown in full lines in Figure 9, the trolleys will travel over the switch section 52 and onto the distributing track 48 for delivery to stations C and E.

In the system illustrated in Figure 13, branch tracks 59 and Gil are shown connected to the distributing tracks 41 and 48, respectively, and lead to the processing stations D and E. Suitable switch mechanisms, generally indicated by the numerals f and 88, connect the branch tracks 56 and Ell, respectively, to the distributing tracks 41 811C148? The switch mechanisms 78 and so may be identical in construction to the switch mechanism 55, and it is therefore unnecessary to further describe the same in detail.

Means is provided on the trolleys for controlling their movement over the conveying system, whereby, when a certain trolley is dispatched from the loading station It over the track l and is designated for a certain receiving station, it will continue over the system until it comes to rest at that particular receiving station. To thus control the movement of the trolleys over the system, a plurality of switch actuating elements or rollers are provided on some of the trolleys, as shown in Figure 14. In this figure, it will be noted that four trolleys are shown, designated by the letters D, E, B, and C. Trolley 13, it will be noted, has no lateral projection at its forward end, and when sent over the system from the loading station, will pass through the open switches 45 and Ill and onto the branch track 59. Troliey E is shown provided at its forward end with a laterally projecting roller 2!, which is adapted to engage the switch operating bar 5d of switch 46 and thereby close said switch, whereby trolley E will pass over the switch 48 and onto distributing track 48. When it reaches switch 85, it will be diverted onto the branch track because of the switch 80 being open.

Trolley B is shown provided at its forward end with a laterally extending roller 22 which is oppositely located thereon with respect to the roller 21 of trolley E, and therefore does not engage the switch operating bar 54 of switch 46. Trolley B therefore will pass through the open switch 46 onto distributing track 4i, upon which it will continue untilits actuating roller 22' engagesthe switchoperatin'g bar 54 0f switch TO; Such-actuation of the switch operating bar Moi switch-19' will close said switch and thereby cause trolley B to continue onward over track 47 to processing station B.

Trolley C is shown provided with opposed switch actuating rollers 23 and 24. This trolley, when sent over the system, will close switch 46,- because of its roller 24 engaging the switch operating arm 54" thereof, whereby trolley C passes over said switch onto distributing track 48. When trolley C reachesswitch 80, its switch actuating roller 23 will engage switch arm 54 of switch and thereby close the switch, whereby trolley 0 will continue over track 48 to station C. The track sections 49, 41, and N are sufficiently downwardly inclined to cause the trolleys to travel thereover by gravity.

Means is provided at each station B, C, D, and'E, for interrupting the traveling movement of the trolleys delivered thereto. The means provided for thus temporarily interrupting traveling movement of the trolleys is shown comprising a plurality of hold-back mechanisms, generally indicated by the numeral 64. One such mechanism is preferably provided at each station, as indicated in Figure 13. The various holdback mechanisms 64 are substantially alike in construction, and but one will therefore be described in detail; As best illustrated in Figure 15, each hold-back mechanism comprises a member 65, which is pivotally supported ona post 66 secured to their respective'tracks 41, 48, 50' and 6B. The member 65 has laterally extending arms 61 and 68 adapted to be alternately moved into the pathof the trolleys in a manner similar to the stop member 3|, shown in Figures 2, 4, and 5. A suitable spring 69 normally holds the member. 65 in the position shown in Figure 15, and asuitable cord H is shown secured'to the opposite end of the member 65, whereby operators stationed at the various stations may readily operate the hold-back devices of said stations and'thereby control the delivery of bags to said stations.

To prevent the elevator flights 9 from engaging the bags supported adjacent to the elevator on the inclined track section 33, a plate member 13 is pivotally supported adjacent to the elevator 2, and is normally retained in the full line position shown in Figure 1, by suitable means, as for example, a weight, not shown. The memberil3 is so' positioned with respect to the elevators, that as each elevator flight ll passes under the shaft 5 of the sprocket 4, the outer end thereof will engage the plate member 13 and swing it outwardly to the dotted line position shown in Figure 1, whereby the plate member will hold back the bags supported on the trolleys on the track section I5, so that they cannot become entangled with the outer ends of the elevator flights as they'pass thereby. The plate member 13 thus prevents the bags from interfering with the traveling movement of the elevator flights, as they pass by the bags supported on the track section 33. When the outer end 31 of an elevator flight 9 engages the arm 43 of the auxiliary stopmember 4|, said stop member is actuated to release trolley B, as shown in Figured, whereby trolley B passes onto the elevator as shown in. Figures 1 and 4. A suitablev projection 15 is shown provided at the lower end of the plate member'13 adapted to engage a suitable stop;

such as the floor, to limit outward swinging movement of the plate member 13.

A suitable deflector, generally indicated by the numeral 16, is provided at the upper end of the elevator for diverting the trolleys from the conveyer flight 9 onto the supply track 49. The deflector I6 is shown comprising a pair of spaced rails 11, adapted to engage the oppositely disposed rollers of the trolleys, whereby the'trolleys are diverted from the elevator flights onto the track 49, as will readily be understood by reference to Figure 1. The deflecting member 76 is preferably constructed as shown in Figures 1 and 6, and is suitably secured to the upper end of the supporting structure or frame of the elevator, as shown in Figure 1.

In Figure 16, there is shown an inclined elevator, generally indicated by the numeral 78, comprising a frame 79 suspended from a suitable support, such as a ceiling 8|, by suitable rods 82, 83, and 84. The frame 19 is supported in an inclined position and carries a pair of sprockets B and 86 operatively connected together by a suitable link chain 87, the links of which are preferably box-like in shape. The lower sprocket 85 is shown driven from a suitable speed reducer 88 which, in turn, is driven from a motor 89 by a suitable belt 9 I.

A track section 9'. provides the approach to the elevator 18, and over this track the trolleys 90' travel, as shown at the left hand side of Figure 15. A bag is supported on each trolley, as shown.

The track 92 is shown provided with a dip 93 below the sprocket 85, and has an inclined section 94 extending upwardly in spaced relation to the frame member 19 of the elevator to a point adjacent the upper sprocket B6. 'The upper end of the inclined track section 94 is connected to a track section 95 which may be termed a distributing track, and leads to a station similar to stations B, C, D, or E.

Each trolley 99 is provided with an upwardly extending pin 96 adapted to be received in one of the links of the chain, as shown in Figure 17, whereby the trolleys are propelled upwardly over the inclined track section 94, as a result, of the links of the chain 81 engaging the pins 96 of the trolleys, as shown in Figure 1'7. When a trolley being propelled up the inclined track section 94 reaches the curved portion 9'! at the upper portion thereof, it travels down the incline 98 onto the track section 95, whereupon the pin 96 thereof moves out of engagement with the chain 81.

The inclined elevator, shown in Figure 16, is particularly adapted for use in buildings where the bags are not conveyed from one floor to another, but merely from one elevation to another on the same floor. It is to be understood, however, that in some instances, the elevator 18 may be made sufliciently long to extend from one floor to another, but where it is desired to elevate the bags from one floor to another, a straight lift elevator, such as shown in Figure 1, is preferable, as it requires considerably less floor s ace.

In the operation of the novel conveying and distributing system herein disclosed, when used in a laundry, the goods or articles from a given customers wash, after having :been washed and extracted, are delivered to the sorting and loading station 16. At this station the goods are sorted and the articles requiring different treatment are then put in separate bags. Each such bag is ticketed and placed on the trolley of a given processing station,- after which sai'ditrolley is released on the loading track'I'E'and continues over the system, ashereinbefore "stated, until it arrives at its designated station E, C, D or E. As hereinbefore stated, the laterally projecting rollers, 2|, 22, 23, and 24 on the trolleys control .the operation of theswitch'mechanisms'46, '10, and 80, whereby the trolleys will always continue over the system until they come to rest at their respective receiving stations, B, C; D, and E;

The hold-back devices 64 at-the receiving stations are normally positioned tointerrupt-the traveling movement of the-trolleys as they ap-' proach their respective stations. 'The operator at each station manipulates the cord 7| each time it is desired to empty a bag, the contents of which are emptied onto a suitable 'receivingtable at, a processing station. When;the-bag on each trolley is emptied of its contents,the operator releases thetrolleys, whereupon they travel over the curvcdtrack sections llll or I62 and onto a track section I03, where they come to rest by engagement with a hold-back device I64, similar to the hold-back devices provided on the distributing tracks 41, 48, 50 and 60. The trolleys with their empty bags, remain on thetrack section l63-until the operator at the loadingstation I6 successively releases them and refills them with goods or articles to be again dispatched over the system.

In the system illustratedin Figure 13,'f0ur receiving stations, B", C, D', and E are shown. It is to be understood, however, that any desired number of such stations may be provided, 'in which case, the diverting switches similar to switches -l6, 'll) and are employed for diverte ing the trolleys from the distributing tracks onto the branch tracks leading to thevarious receiving or processing stations.

The novelconveyingand distributlng system herein disclosed, has beenfound extremelypraotical in laundries, as it has greatly simplified the} operation of transporting the various articles from the sorting and loading station, I6 to, the various receiving stations :13, C D' ,and:E for further "processing. The overhead tracks 41 and 48 and also the track l5 are preferably-disposed on an incline so that the trolleys will travel thereover by gravity. The bagsare allcarried by-the trolleys in an inverted position and need notbe. removed from the trolleys at the receiving stations. The tracks are so disposed with respect to the receiving stations that each bag may be swung to a position over its respective receiving station, while supported on its trolley, and the operator then unties the cord 29 at the lower end .of the bag, whereby the contents of the bag are discharged onto the receiving table. The empty bag then continues onward over the curved track sections IOI or I02, back to the sorting and loading station I6.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a conveying system of the class described, a track of channel cross-section having an inclined section at its discharge end, a plurality of trolleys each comprising spaced carrying wheels adapted to travel on said track, an elevator at the discharge end of said track, means for controlling the delivery of trolleys onto the elevator comprising a rocker mounted adjacent to the upper end of the inclined track section and having laterally extending arms adapted to be alternately moved into the path of the trolleys on the inclined track section, thereby to temporarily intercept their downward movement thereon, an auxiliary stop member on said inclined track section spaced from said rocker in the direction of trolley travel and adapted to receive a trolley 'from the rocker 'and support it in position to be delivered onto the elevator, and-means on the elevator for successively operating said auxiliary stop member and said rocker, whereby the trolleys are automatically delivered to the elevator, one ata time.

2. In a conveying and distributing system for laundries, a loading station and a plurality of branch stations, a track system connecting said stations, trolleys mounted for traveling movement on said track system and each having a textile bag suspended therefrom in an inverted position, a normally open switch section in said track system for each branch station, each switch section being mounted for pivotal movement in a vertical plane, means normally supporting each switch section in an elevated inoperative position, a switch operating arm connected to each switch section, control means on certain of said trolleys adapted to engage the switch operating arms of selected branch stations, whereby the trolleys may be diverted to selected branch stations, and means for closing the mouths of the bags whereby the bags may be conveniently opened and unloaded at the selected branch stations without removing the bags from the trolleys.

3. In a conveying and distributing system for laundries, a loading station, and a plurality of branch stations, a main track system, a normally open switch section in said main track for each branch station, each switch section being mounted for pivotal movement in .a vertical plane and comprising a pivoted operating arm, trolleys mounted for traveling movement on said track system and each being adapted to support a textile bag in an inverted position, control means on the trolleys for actuating said switch operating arms to automatically control the diversion of the trolleys trem*tl'ie'iiiain track onto selected branch stations, means for closing the mouths of the bags and whereby the bag mouths may be conveniently opened at their respective branch stations without removing the bags from the trolleys, and a return track over which the trolley and empty bags may be returned'to the loading station.

4. In a conveying system, a main track and a plurality of branch tracks, a plurality of trolleys mounted for traveling movement over said tracks.

a switch at the junction of each branch track and the maintra-ck comprising a switchzsection mounted for pivotal movement in a vertical plane, a vertically movable switch operating member connected to each pivoted switch section, and control means'on' the trolleys for actuating the operating members of said switch sections, whereby the diversion of the trolleys from the main trackonto said branch tracks may be automatically controlled by the traveling movement of the trolleys.

5. In a conveying system, a main track and a plurality of branch tracks, a plurality of trolleys mounted for traveling movement over said tracks, a vertically movable switch section at the juncture of each branchtrack and the main track, said switch sections normally being supported in open inoperative positions, a pivoted switch operating arm for each switch section, each switch operating arm being pivoted at one end to a suitable support and having its opposite end pivotally connected to its respective switch section, control means on the-trolleys for engaging and depressing the'operating arms of selected switch sections, whereby the diversion of the trolleys from the main track onto said branch tracks is automatically controlled by the traveling movement of the trolleys, and means for automatically returning each switch section to its elevated inoperative position, whena trolley has passed thereover.

6. In a conveying'system, a loading track having a plurality of trolleys mounted thereon, a pivoted stop mechanism at one end of said track, a receiving track disposed above the loadin track, an elevator having a plurality of elevator flights each adapted to receive a trolley and elevate it to the receiving track, an auxiliary stop member on said track cooperable with said stop mechanism to control the delivery of trolleys from said track onto the elevator flights, means on the elevator forjsuccessivelyoperating said auxiliary stop memberand'said stop mechanism whereby a-trolley may be delivered onto each elevator flight, and an endless track system connecting thereceiving track with the loading track, whereby trolleys delivered onto the receiving track will be returned to the loading station.

GUILFORD A. MORSE. 

